Posted by Mong Palatino to Global Voices Online
Malaysian politics are sizzling with sex intrigues, murder accusations, scandalous lies and intra-party squabbles.
A few months ago a government minister resigned after admitting he was the person caught in a videotape having sex with a young woman in a hotel. The video was uploaded on the Internet.
Early this month opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim was accused of sodomy by his 23-year-old aide. The victim alleged he was sexually assaulted by Anwar up to eight times in various luxury hotels in Paris and Hong Kong. This is the second time the former deputy premier was accused of sodomy. The first case was filed ten years ago and led to Anwar’s imprisonment – although he was later cleared of those charges.
Anwar was briefly arrested before being set free. The details of his arrest were reported by Anwar himself.
Former Malaysian leader Mahathir Mohamad believes in the credibility of the new charge against Anwar. Dr. Mahathir writes in his blog:
“Yet can it be that the present Government is so stupid and unimaginative as to use the same ‘ploy’, especially after it was so happy over the release of Anwar? Surely it could come up with another story which would be more credible if it is deliberately plotting or conspiring against Anwar. The probability is that the story is the same because it is genuine.
“Is the present complainant a copycat? Hardly likely. Few would care to make public such a very shameful thing as being sodomised.”
But aside from getting sympathies abroad, Anwar has many supporters in the internet. There are also bloggers who are disappointed that Malaysia is getting worldwide attention through the sodomy case. Mental Jog writes:
“It is really embarrassing to me to see that such news made world headlines. I mean the sodomy charge news. Sodomy in many countries is not illegal. And to me sodomy is something private/personal between 2 persons, why should it be wrong? If we made world headlines such as ‘Anwar arrested for corruption of 1 billion’ or ‘Anwar arrested for being a US spy’ – these are not so bad but for sodomy? Gee, we will be made a laughing stock in the world!”
Anwar has a bombshell of his own. He organized a press conference at which a private investigator revealed that Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak had sex with a 28-year-old Mongolian model who was brutally murdered in 2006. The model was shot twice in the head and her body was blown up with plastic explosives. Najib denied having an affair with the woman.
Najib’s close associate was accused of abetting the murder. A prominent Malaysian blogger also wrote that Najib’s wife was present when the Mongolian model was murdered. The blogger was subsequently charged with sedition and criminal defamation.
It is apparent that all of these accusations and counter accusations are politically motivated. Najib insists Anwar used a desperate tactic to divert the people’s attention from his sodomy case. On his part, Anwar believes the sodomy charge was part of a government maneuver to defeat the plan of the opposition to seize power this year.
Before the sex scandals, Malaysia was already facing a political crisis. Last March the opposition managed to secure one-third of the parliamentary seats. Five states were put under their control. Some member parties of the ruling coalition threatened to withdraw support for the prime minister.
Before the sex scandals, Malaysians were talking about the country’s faltering economy. Fuel subsidies were removed, which led to higher oil prices. Big protests were held in different parts of the country. Many people, including the frustrated sections of the middle class, began to question the economic policies of the government which they blamed for the rising cost of living in Malaysia.
Today Malaysians are more interested in the sodomy case and other sex scandals involving influential persons. The economic crisis is still a major issue, but sex and murder will always tickle the people’s imagination. Even non-political bloggers are expressing their views about the issue.
The political crisis in Malaysia’s leadership has angered many young Malaysians, especially bloggers. The Other Malaysia points out that other issues are being ignored:
“Whether in or out of jail, Anwar has resumed his status as martyr and public hero. While this may work in the favour of Anwar and other politicians in the country, other serious issues like economic and institutional reform have been sidelined once again. But this time it is not just Anwar and his reputation that is on trial, but also that of Malaysia and Malaysia’s legal and judicial systems as well.”
Lilian is fed up with the lies spewed by politicians:
“Is Anwar making up tales like a recalcitrant, moronic kid or is the Government trying to shove shits into us? I am really sick of this news because the whole world is probably laughing silly at how stupid our people are because we do not even know if Saiful had enjoyed his rendezvous as a willing partner or was he being tied down?
“We think it is not funny anymore. We are like a lawless country now. No justice, no fairness, no law, no rules, no authorities.”
Mahaguru58 warns that:
“If someone like Anwar can be made into political mincemeat by these conspirators, what guarantee is there for the safety and wellbeing of any ordinary Ahmad, Ah Seng or Samy?
“We can’t afford to be mere spectators of this killing field of a politician called Anwar Ibrahim but be ready to voice out against blatant abuses of justice and due process of the law. If it can happen to Anwar, it can happen to just anybody here in Malaysia.”
MageP’s Lab explains the political and economic problems of Malaysia:
“Malaysia itself is like a drama where new chapters unfolded and there is never a single day without fresh conspiracy theories and accusations, worse, for a certain political advantage, every single soul in this country is inconvenienced. Prior to that, Malaysia stocks fell to a 16-month low, our Ringgit slumped the most in two weeks, investors left the domestic scene in a lurch and many more explosive allegations never cease to plunge the country into crisis mode.”
Straight Talk exclaims, “Stop it!” and he adds:
“Is there law and order in the country? Is there transparency in our justice system? Is there a credibility gap or wedge between the people and the government? Can we correct our battered public image?
“Governments around the world are focused on fighting inflation, social-economic challenges and other challenges including job creation but ours is busy with political assassinations and contestations.
“We have had enough of all these nonsense. I have said that we demand all parties involved to come out clean on everything. It is disappointing to note that politicians, who wanted our mandate to rule, after getting the mandate are neglecting their responsibility."